We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that Bill Gates, one of the great American entrepreneurs, is stepping down from his post as the head of mega-software business Microsoft this week. His last official day is Friday.

While in many ways Gates' departure is the end of an era for Microsoft, the tone of the media's coverage is so staid and reverential—"Farewell, Mr. Gates"—that it's worth noting that he's, um, not dead. In fact, Gates says he has numerous things that he'd like to accomplish in "retirement," which includes learning biochem, eradicating malaria, and developing drought resistant crops, says CNNMoney. That's the kind of list we'd normally mock for its seeming arrogance, but given that we're talking about Bill Gates (and let's face it, Bill Gates' bankroll) anything is possible.

Just for fun, here's a pic from the company's start-up days in New Mexico—and an obviously more recent picture on the right. Money may buy a cure for malaria, but it apparently can't help with fashion sense.

(Image via Valleywag.)